Unexpected Treat!
One afternoon, Swamishri took a surprise visit of the kitchen and the dining area in Gondal. Two devotees, Rambhai and Manekbhai of Kadi, were having lunch in the dining hall. Swamishri blessed them and went on his way to see the facilities in the kitchen. The sadhu had made biranj (sweet rice). Swamishri walked over to see the biranj and pressed one or two rice grains to check its tenderness. Having satisfied himself, Swamishri took some biranj and made his way over to where the two devotees were eating. Before they knew what had happened, Swamishri lovingly placed some biranj in each of their dishes. 'Here, take this prasad (sanctified food) of Akshar Deri. God will bless you.'
The two devotees were overwhelmed. They wondered what they had done to deserve such a favor. They were left speechless as Swamishri and the group of accompanying sadhu walked away. Deep in their hearts they felt Swamishri's inexpressible love.
In this way Swamishri gives love to one and all, regardless of age, class, creed or color. He loves each one of us as if there is only one of us.
27-10-91, Gondal.
One afternoon, Swamishri took a surprise visit of the kitchen and the dining area in Gondal. Two devotees, Rambhai and Manekbhai of Kadi, were having lunch in the dining hall. Swamishri blessed them and went on his way to see the facilities in the kitchen. The sadhu had made biranj (sweet rice). Swamishri walked over to see the biranj and pressed one or two rice grains to check its tenderness. Having satisfied himself, Swamishri took some biranj and made his way over to where the two devotees were eating. Before they knew what had happened, Swamishri lovingly placed some biranj in each of their dishes. 'Here, take this prasad (sanctified food) of Akshar Deri. God will bless you.'
The two devotees were overwhelmed. They wondered what they had done to deserve such a favor. They were left speechless as Swamishri and the group of accompanying sadhu walked away. Deep in their hearts they felt Swamishri's inexpressible love.
In this way Swamishri gives love to one and all, regardless of age, class, creed or color. He loves each one of us as if there is only one of us.
27-10-91, Gondal.
'You Have to Be Willing...'
Swamishri was in Vidyanagar for a few days to inspire the students who stay at the BAPS student hostel. A couple of students, Sandip and Manish, who are studying for their Masters in Business Studies degree, were sitting in front of Swamishri during breakfast. Swamishri looked at Sandip and said, 'Your friend does the tilak-chandlo, why haven't you got it on?'
'I want to do the tilak-Chandlo but I don't think I'm fit for it.'
'What makes you think that?' enquired Swamishri.
'Well Swamishri, when I'm out on study tours, I have to eat in hotels and restaurants. The food contains onions and garlic so I feel guilty about doing the 'tilak-chandlo'.' Swamishri listened to the youth's self-reproachful comment.
'Instead of thinking this way, why don't you think that you should stop eating such food? We can live on milk for weeks.' There was truth in Swamishri's words but the youth admitted his weakness. 'It is very difficult to resist the food when it is placed in front of me,' he said. Having diagnosed the core of the youth's problem, Swamishri prescribed the medicine. 'It's all a matter of training the mind. If we gain control over our mind we can observe all the rules without any difficulties. You have to be willing to apply the rules. As you make small changes in your life, you will get positive results that spur you to do more.' Swamishri's advice instilled fresh vigor and strength in the youth's heart. He resolved to put up a fight against his mind.
Sometimes when we cannot fulfill our observances, we pour the blame on conditions and circumstances. But Swamishri teaches us that the real weakness lies within ourselves. If we strive to improve our ways, the circumstances and conditions will naturally take care of themselves.
This was the gift of Swamishri's advice to the youth.
29-11-91, Vidyanagar.
Swamishri was in Vidyanagar for a few days to inspire the students who stay at the BAPS student hostel. A couple of students, Sandip and Manish, who are studying for their Masters in Business Studies degree, were sitting in front of Swamishri during breakfast. Swamishri looked at Sandip and said, 'Your friend does the tilak-chandlo, why haven't you got it on?'
'I want to do the tilak-Chandlo but I don't think I'm fit for it.'
'What makes you think that?' enquired Swamishri.
'Well Swamishri, when I'm out on study tours, I have to eat in hotels and restaurants. The food contains onions and garlic so I feel guilty about doing the 'tilak-chandlo'.' Swamishri listened to the youth's self-reproachful comment.
'Instead of thinking this way, why don't you think that you should stop eating such food? We can live on milk for weeks.' There was truth in Swamishri's words but the youth admitted his weakness. 'It is very difficult to resist the food when it is placed in front of me,' he said. Having diagnosed the core of the youth's problem, Swamishri prescribed the medicine. 'It's all a matter of training the mind. If we gain control over our mind we can observe all the rules without any difficulties. You have to be willing to apply the rules. As you make small changes in your life, you will get positive results that spur you to do more.' Swamishri's advice instilled fresh vigor and strength in the youth's heart. He resolved to put up a fight against his mind.
Sometimes when we cannot fulfill our observances, we pour the blame on conditions and circumstances. But Swamishri teaches us that the real weakness lies within ourselves. If we strive to improve our ways, the circumstances and conditions will naturally take care of themselves.
This was the gift of Swamishri's advice to the youth.
29-11-91, Vidyanagar.
22 years ago ...1998, July 7th Pramukh Swami Maharaj undergoes a Bypass heart surgery in New York City Lenox Hill hospital.
'This is our Occupation!'
With a view to send letters with a devotee who was going to India, Swamishri sat down to write letters straight after lunch.
C.M. Patel, the Chairman of UK Satsang Mandal said with concern, 'Why are you sacrificing your rest time to reply to these letters? Please do it later!'
Swamishri responded, 'Yogiji Maharaj would also reply to letters immediately if somebody was going to take them.'
Then he added softly, 'Anyway, this is our occupation.'
With this Swamiji then urged Krishnapriya Swami to start reading the Vachanamrut whilst he engaged in writing letters.
It is vital to Swamishri's health that he rests adequately. However, when it comes to serving his devotees, he pays no attention to his body nor cares for rest. He has kept up the tradition like Yogiji Maharaj of Service before Self.
19-8-90, London.
With a view to send letters with a devotee who was going to India, Swamishri sat down to write letters straight after lunch.
C.M. Patel, the Chairman of UK Satsang Mandal said with concern, 'Why are you sacrificing your rest time to reply to these letters? Please do it later!'
Swamishri responded, 'Yogiji Maharaj would also reply to letters immediately if somebody was going to take them.'
Then he added softly, 'Anyway, this is our occupation.'
With this Swamiji then urged Krishnapriya Swami to start reading the Vachanamrut whilst he engaged in writing letters.
It is vital to Swamishri's health that he rests adequately. However, when it comes to serving his devotees, he pays no attention to his body nor cares for rest. He has kept up the tradition like Yogiji Maharaj of Service before Self.
19-8-90, London.
'It is our Philosophy too!'
Swamishri went for a medical examination at Dr. Dayanand Nayak's clinic in New York. The doctor took Swamishri's cardiogram and then proceeded to take the stress test in which Swamishri was required to walk vigorously on a rolling belt. Due to sustained walking Swamishri started feeling tired. At the end of the test, Dr. Dayanand said, 'I'm sorry, Swamiji, for putting you under such strain. But this is part of our job. First we give pain then happiness!'
Swamishri responded instantly.
'That is our philosophy too!'
Swamishri is also a doctor. But unlike a medical doctor who merely relieves bodily pain, Swamishri redeems the soul from the pain of the cycle of birth and death.
Swamishri's philosophy is to give a little pain first then deliver the jiva (soul) to Akshardham for permanent and eternal joy.
10-7-90, New York.
Swamishri went for a medical examination at Dr. Dayanand Nayak's clinic in New York. The doctor took Swamishri's cardiogram and then proceeded to take the stress test in which Swamishri was required to walk vigorously on a rolling belt. Due to sustained walking Swamishri started feeling tired. At the end of the test, Dr. Dayanand said, 'I'm sorry, Swamiji, for putting you under such strain. But this is part of our job. First we give pain then happiness!'
Swamishri responded instantly.
'That is our philosophy too!'
Swamishri is also a doctor. But unlike a medical doctor who merely relieves bodily pain, Swamishri redeems the soul from the pain of the cycle of birth and death.
Swamishri's philosophy is to give a little pain first then deliver the jiva (soul) to Akshardham for permanent and eternal joy.
10-7-90, New York.
'Our Key to Akshardham'
The uniqueness of a God-communion Sadhu is that he teaches by his life, by his little daily acts, by his most casual words and sometimes, even by his silence.
One evening before retiring to bed, a group of youths had gathered in Swamishri's room for darshan. One of the youths was playing around with his key-ring.
'Look', said Swamishri to a teenager named Chandu, 'This boy is so young yet he has so many keys.'
'Have you got any keys?' somebody from the crowd asked Chandu.
Before Chandu could answer, Swamishri said, 'Of course he has, and that is why he is sitting here.'
Then fixing his eyes on Chandu, Swamishri said, 'The key that you have got is the key to Akshardham. Make sure you never lose it.'
Then explaining further, Swamishri continued, 'If you happen to lose your house key, you can still get in by breaking the lock or by any other means. But you will never gain entry if you lose possession of the key to Akshardham. Do you know what is the key to Akshardham?'
Giving the answer himself, Swamishri said, 'The contact of Yogiji Maharaj is the key to Akshardham.'
'But I haven't seen Yogiji Maharaj,' Chandu expressed his misfortune.
'You are seeing him before you,' said Swamishri.
We have heard Swamishri on many occasions that we are fortunate enough to have the contact of Yogiji Maharaj. Though Yogiji Maharaj is no longer physically present, yet from Swamishri's revelation we find that Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj are one.
Indeed, we are fortunate because in Pramukh Swami Maharaj we have the key to Akshardham.
12-10-90, London.
The uniqueness of a God-communion Sadhu is that he teaches by his life, by his little daily acts, by his most casual words and sometimes, even by his silence.
One evening before retiring to bed, a group of youths had gathered in Swamishri's room for darshan. One of the youths was playing around with his key-ring.
'Look', said Swamishri to a teenager named Chandu, 'This boy is so young yet he has so many keys.'
'Have you got any keys?' somebody from the crowd asked Chandu.
Before Chandu could answer, Swamishri said, 'Of course he has, and that is why he is sitting here.'
Then fixing his eyes on Chandu, Swamishri said, 'The key that you have got is the key to Akshardham. Make sure you never lose it.'
Then explaining further, Swamishri continued, 'If you happen to lose your house key, you can still get in by breaking the lock or by any other means. But you will never gain entry if you lose possession of the key to Akshardham. Do you know what is the key to Akshardham?'
Giving the answer himself, Swamishri said, 'The contact of Yogiji Maharaj is the key to Akshardham.'
'But I haven't seen Yogiji Maharaj,' Chandu expressed his misfortune.
'You are seeing him before you,' said Swamishri.
We have heard Swamishri on many occasions that we are fortunate enough to have the contact of Yogiji Maharaj. Though Yogiji Maharaj is no longer physically present, yet from Swamishri's revelation we find that Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami Maharaj are one.
Indeed, we are fortunate because in Pramukh Swami Maharaj we have the key to Akshardham.
12-10-90, London.
Pervaded by Shriji Maharaj
In V .S. 1951 Bhagatji Maharj was at Mahuva. A Brahmin came to his house and stared into his eyes without a wink. Bhagatji spoke to him. 'Maharaj, what are you gazing at in my eyes? You will find Shriji Maharaj in every inch of my body.'
The Brahmin replied, 'You are perfectly right, Bhagatji. I see Shriji Maharaj in both of your eyes. That's why I have been staring at you.'
In V .S. 1951 Bhagatji Maharj was at Mahuva. A Brahmin came to his house and stared into his eyes without a wink. Bhagatji spoke to him. 'Maharaj, what are you gazing at in my eyes? You will find Shriji Maharaj in every inch of my body.'
The Brahmin replied, 'You are perfectly right, Bhagatji. I see Shriji Maharaj in both of your eyes. That's why I have been staring at you.'
Forgiving and Serving
Once, Yogiji Maharaj went to 'Narayan Dharo' near the village of Mojidad, to have a dip in the holy river. A sadhu named Narayanprasad, wild with envy, insulted and abused Yogiji Maharaj there. Yogiji Maharaj started chanting the name 'Swaminarayan', and after finishing his bath quietly returned to his residence without a word in retaliation.
After some days had passed, and the monsoon had set in, this same sadhu, Narayanprasad, alighted from a train at Botad railway station at two o'clock at night. The cart driver refused to take him to Kariyani. Walking wearily along the muddy road, he came to Shri Akshar Purushottam Mandir at Sarangpur and knocked at the door. A thorn had driven deep into his foot. Thus his foot was swollen, and he was in extreme agony. The watchman came and reported to Yogiji Maharaj, 'A sadhu has come, and wishes to stay for the night.'
Yogiji Maharaj went to receive him. He brought him inside with courtesy. He then removed the thorn from his foot and dressed the wound. He fed the sadhu lovingly with prasad of puri and ladu. He made a bed for him, and gently asked him to rest. In the morning he kept a cart ready to send Narayanprasad to Kariyani. Narayanprasad had recognised Yogiji Maharaj as the very sadhu he had insulted just a few days before. He felt ashamed, and soon underwent a complete change of heart. He thought, 'Yogiji served me with love even though I had insulted him. He has not said one word of rebuke. He has won me over completely with his great affection.'
Narayanprasad quickly repented. Falling at the feet of Yogiji Maharaj, he burst out, 'You are the embodiment of love because you do good to those who have harmed you. You are just like an ideal paramhansa (sadhu of Shriji Maharaj) - one who repays animosity with love and affection.' Receiving the blessings of Yogiji Maharaj, Narayanprasad then left for Kariyani by cart.
Once, Yogiji Maharaj went to 'Narayan Dharo' near the village of Mojidad, to have a dip in the holy river. A sadhu named Narayanprasad, wild with envy, insulted and abused Yogiji Maharaj there. Yogiji Maharaj started chanting the name 'Swaminarayan', and after finishing his bath quietly returned to his residence without a word in retaliation.
After some days had passed, and the monsoon had set in, this same sadhu, Narayanprasad, alighted from a train at Botad railway station at two o'clock at night. The cart driver refused to take him to Kariyani. Walking wearily along the muddy road, he came to Shri Akshar Purushottam Mandir at Sarangpur and knocked at the door. A thorn had driven deep into his foot. Thus his foot was swollen, and he was in extreme agony. The watchman came and reported to Yogiji Maharaj, 'A sadhu has come, and wishes to stay for the night.'
Yogiji Maharaj went to receive him. He brought him inside with courtesy. He then removed the thorn from his foot and dressed the wound. He fed the sadhu lovingly with prasad of puri and ladu. He made a bed for him, and gently asked him to rest. In the morning he kept a cart ready to send Narayanprasad to Kariyani. Narayanprasad had recognised Yogiji Maharaj as the very sadhu he had insulted just a few days before. He felt ashamed, and soon underwent a complete change of heart. He thought, 'Yogiji served me with love even though I had insulted him. He has not said one word of rebuke. He has won me over completely with his great affection.'
Narayanprasad quickly repented. Falling at the feet of Yogiji Maharaj, he burst out, 'You are the embodiment of love because you do good to those who have harmed you. You are just like an ideal paramhansa (sadhu of Shriji Maharaj) - one who repays animosity with love and affection.' Receiving the blessings of Yogiji Maharaj, Narayanprasad then left for Kariyani by cart.
Important Update regarding Puja Mantra:
Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj has given āgnā to sing the āhvān mantra and punarāgaman mantra in one's daily puja according to the Vedic-style.
A video of how to sing it in the Vedic-style is included with this message along with a card and phone wall papers that have the puja shloks written on them.
We should all sing the mantra this way.
Material in English, Gujarati and Hindi available at the following link:
http://www.spcoindia.org/pujamantra/
Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj has given āgnā to sing the āhvān mantra and punarāgaman mantra in one's daily puja according to the Vedic-style.
A video of how to sing it in the Vedic-style is included with this message along with a card and phone wall papers that have the puja shloks written on them.
We should all sing the mantra this way.
Material in English, Gujarati and Hindi available at the following link:
http://www.spcoindia.org/pujamantra/
Thirst for Knowledge
Yagnapurushdasji was convinced that Pragji Bhakta was the most favored disciple of Gunatitanand Swami. Yagnapurushdasji accepted him as his guru. During the day he was busy rendering services in the mandir. But at night he would go to listen to the discourses of Pragji Bhakta. The discourses went on till late at night.
Thereafter when he returned to his place, he would wake up his companion saint Ramratandas and recite before him, in detail, the discourses heard from Pragji Bhakta.
Yagnapurushdasji was convinced that Pragji Bhakta was the most favored disciple of Gunatitanand Swami. Yagnapurushdasji accepted him as his guru. During the day he was busy rendering services in the mandir. But at night he would go to listen to the discourses of Pragji Bhakta. The discourses went on till late at night.
Thereafter when he returned to his place, he would wake up his companion saint Ramratandas and recite before him, in detail, the discourses heard from Pragji Bhakta.